Yes, it appears there is a double standard at work here. I've read in the AF Times and The Stars and Stripes, many years ago, about military members who lost a leg or arm but were allowed to remain on active duty in a non-deployable status. Usually, they've been in a program training others to do the job they used to do.

As for the Rear Admiral, is he the only person who can do his job? If so then it's a judgement call by the Chief of Naval Operations as whether to retain or separate him. However, the military has been increasing emphasis on its members being able to deploy and separating those who are in prolonged undeployable status so the Rear Admiral should also be considered for separation or in his case retirement.

Yes, it appears there is a double standard at work here. I've read in the AF Times and The Stars and Stripes, many years ago, about military members who lost a leg or arm but were allowed to remain on active duty in a non-deployable status. Usually, they've been in a program training others to do the job they used to do.

As for the Rear Admiral, is he the only person who can do his job? If so then it's a judgement call by the Chief of Naval Operations as whether to retain or separate him. However, the military has been increasing emphasis on its members being able to deploy and separating those who are in prolonged undeployable status so the Rear Admiral should also be considered for separation or in his case retirement.

I don't know that 'double standard' is exactly correct. There are enlisted service members who have been retained who were in wheelchairs. I know a USMC MSgt who as a SSgt lost a leg, he walks, but must use a cane. He still takes the PFT and completes the 3 mile run under the max time (he no longer gets a 1st Class score) he will joke that pull ups are easier since he has to pull less weight. Granted, most of the ones I know about (half dozen plus the Admiral in the story) are combat related injuries. The DoD recently took a stance on non-deployability and these exceptions run counter to that but there are examples of exceptions in both the officer and enlisted ranks.

If I had to guess, this is / will now be his last tour, he is in a non-operational job and flag officers don't grow on trees and the USN has a shortage of them based on other issues ... letting him stay there for a bit isn't really 'costing' the USN much. The process of him getting out / retiring would be a while anyway ... and to nominate, confirm and get a replacement in place (out of the normal promotion cycle) would take close to 12 months ... no harm no foul.

The most important six inches on the battlefield ... is between your ears.

Yes, it appears there is a double standard at work here. I've read in the AF Times and The Stars and Stripes, many years ago, about military members who lost a leg or arm but were allowed to remain on active duty in a non-deployable status. Usually, they've been in a program training others to do the job they used to do.

As for the Rear Admiral, is he the only person who can do his job? If so then it's a judgement call by the Chief of Naval Operations as whether to retain or separate him. However, the military has been increasing emphasis on its members being able to deploy and separating those who are in prolonged undeployable status so the Rear Admiral should also be considered for separation or in his case retirement.

I don't know that 'double standard' is exactly correct. There are enlisted service members who have been retained who were in wheelchairs. I know a USMC MSgt who as a SSgt lost a leg, he walks, but must use a cane. He still takes the PFT and completes the 3 mile run under the max time (he no longer gets a 1st Class score) he will joke that pull ups are easier since he has to pull less weight. Granted, most of the ones I know about (half dozen plus the Admiral in the story) are combat related injuries. The DoD recently took a stance on non-deployability and these exceptions run counter to that but there are examples of exceptions in both the officer and enlisted ranks.

If I had to guess, this is / will now be his last tour, he is in a non-operational job and flag officers don't grow on trees and the USN has a shortage of them based on other issues ... letting him stay there for a bit isn't really 'costing' the USN much. The process of him getting out / retiring would be a while anyway ... and to nominate, confirm and get a replacement in place (out of the normal promotion cycle) would take close to 12 months ... no harm no foul.

The most important six inches on the battlefield ... is between your ears.

I'm not trying to attack the Rear Admiral; however, I firmly believe this unduly dictates a bi-standard precedent by the Navy.

It certainly does seem like a double standard..

Originally Posted by LogDog

As for the Rear Admiral, is he the only person who can do his job? If so then it's a judgement call by the Chief of Naval Operations as whether to retain or separate him.

Even when i was in, it was common practice to NEVER be the only person who could do job X.. CROSS train, CROSS train, CROSS train... That got drilled into us at a low pay grade, so HOW can it be different for an O8 to be the 'only person'? OR is that yet another of those double standards?

Lots of debate over whether or not this is a double standard. I think it comes down to perception. Remember the saying, "perception is reality"? The vast majority of those serving are probably already convinced that the Admiral is still serving due to his rank, while thousands of other service members continue to get their 'pink slips' for much less debilitating conditions. The Navy (or Admiral) should address this issue, or do the right thing by sending the Admiral out the door.

While I readily admit: Most enlisted jobs can't be performed from a wheelchair, I do believe the same opportunity should be offered to others in similar circumstances. I've seen many a good Sailor turned away just for body fat that ran circles around their peers. Meanwhile, we have 0-5s and above that can barely fit in their uniforms let alone run (if they even do it) a PRT. A double-standard indeed.

Even when i was in, it was common practice to NEVER be the only person who could do job X.. CROSS train, CROSS train, CROSS train... That got drilled into us at a low pay grade, so HOW can it be different for an O8 to be the 'only person'? OR is that yet another of those double standards?

I agree that there should always be someone who could step-in and do a job someone else does when they're gone. I don't see the Admiral's job as being any different. He moved up into that job and I doubt his skills sets are unique in that someone else can't move into his job. After all, he won't always be in that job and after he transfers/retires someone will take his place.